Amos 3 Commentary
“Can two people walk together, except they be agreed?” Or, “The Sovereign LORD never does anything without revealing His plan to His servants, the prophets.” Amos is famous for these two verses. But it’s the opening two verses that catch our attention.
In a moving statement, the LORD explains why Israel is punished. They have spurned God’s love. That is one nation the LORD God chose and cared for. But Israel is no longer on the same page with the LORD. They can no longer walk together. They see things differently. Israel has chosen the path of wickedness.
Israel’s punishment is deserved.
The mention of mansions full of “wealth by crime and violence” gives us the picture of an affluent but ungodly society. Physical prosperity is never a measure of spiritual success. It wasn’t for Israel.
Then the LORD prepares an attack on the nation! This should interest the reader! Aren’t the neighboring nations in trouble for unchecked aggression against Israel – Chapters 1 and 2? Yes. You guess this is a “dog-eat-dog” business, sin punishing sin. It could be a case of evil punishing evil, eventually.
The saint wants to look at Israel’s punishment and ponder the case of suffering as a tool the LORD may use to attract our attention. It becomes a love call back to where it all began: a nation under God’s love to bless the nations. It becomes the saint’s calling in a world of wickedness. There is a mission to complete but the ‘walk’ must be in harmony with the holiness of the Creator God.
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